Hameed Akhtar’s death in October came as shock for many of his admirers, while for several others it was expected since he had not been well. Since his death, his friends and comrades came together on Wednesday, November 16, in an official reference held for him at the Lahore Press Club. That Hameed Akhtar was a veteran journalist and well known communist leader was known by all. His membership of the Communist Party of India was a recognised fact and he was also famous as a writer who also belonged to CPI’s writers’ wing. But on Wednesday, as his admirers and loved ones came to talk about him, lesser known facts about him surfaced, those that made people laugh, and many other memories that made his three daughters sitting on the stage, weep quietly for their irreplaceable loss.
Irfan Mufti, a social activist, and deputy director of South Asia Partnership Pakistan stressed in his speech that Akhtar was not simply a ‘great’ man. He was so many things rolled into one that it was almost difficult to give him any one term as a description. “An intellectual, a scholar, a journalist, a social activist….Hameed Akhtar expressed in his work those things that mattered in those times, and those facts and observations were so effective and so important that even today they matter,” said Mufti. “In fact I would say that he is a man who is not just confined to one generation. He has an expanse over several generations-his own, the coming generation after him-and then the youth. People will continue to be effected by him,”.
Mufti also revealed the importance that Akhtar was famous internationally, saying that his written works were available in foreign universities, and in fact it was surprising that many foreign students had even written their theses based on his documented work. “I have myself seen his works being taught, referred to, and quoted, some of them in the Washington State University and University of Sussex.”
Unfortunately, Mufti said, intellectuals such as Akhtar are never promoted in Pakistan as much as they should be. He quoted his last meeting with him saying that Akhtar had once again said with reference to the Taliban and the hard line extremist elements, that “I had told everyone several years ago. If you let go of your progressive spirit and broad mindedness these elements will always eat you and your coming generations like termites and you will decay.”
Labour leader from the Workers’ Party Mohammad Akbar gave a fiery speech in remembrance of Hameed Akhtar’s support for the downtrodden poor people and the working class. He said Akhtar was fiercely against the class system and always upheld people’s rights. “I congratulate those who have followed him in this passion but without him this movement will always carry a huge void,” he said.
Asghar Nadeem Syed in his speech described him as a man who belonged to every class and every section.
“He wandered every nook and cranny to struggle for the masses,” said Asghar. “He sacrificed and put everything at stake for this cause. He has written about everything so well that we know everyone that he knows. He has given life to his characters, and through his eyes we know what Faiz and his other comrades were like.”
Asghar Nadeem said that Akhtar kept writing till his last breath for the youth, who had no one left to tell them the realities of life and of the history of the country.
As Asghar Nadeem spoke about the perseverance, liveliness and vibrancy of Akhtar’s character, Hameed Akhtar’s three daughters including actress Saba Hameed wept quietly in memory of their father.
Nasir Naqvi who highlighted Akhtar’s importance as a journalist said that today’s media person who thinks that he is far superior than any other, is only empowered because of what comrades like Hameed Akhtar did. They spent their lives in jails and suffered physical torture for a free press. “Today in order to be a journalist that we are supposed to be, we must remember and incorporate his teachings within us. Only then can we progress.”
Husain Naqi and IA Rehman also remembered his anecdotes and gave a lirghter side of the man to the audience. Rehman praised his modesty and said though he was an intellectual he never flaunted it and never spoke on a matter off the cuff, instead researched on it first.
“He was lucky to have lived a rich life and receive acclamation during his lifetime,” said Rehman. “He should also be remembered as a great fighter for women’s rights.”
“Hameed Akhtar always put himself before other workers and never gave his values up for any agreement,” said Naqi. “He despised lethargy, and always promoted hard work with absolute passion. He always said what he thought, and always wrote what he wanted to say,” he said.
Saba Hameed also gave a short speech especially in connection with Young Development Trust that built a university with Akhtar’s help. “My father was very dedicated to this work and assisted them wherever they needed it,” said the veteran actress. “I am today proud to say that I am the daughter of a man who is so widely respected and remembered by all…but our wounds are fresh and I don’t think I can speak any longer,” she said as she dissolved into tears and subsequently left the stage.
